Wuhan Open picks from the WTA 1000 in central China, with the reasoning behind every call.
Analysis only. Our pick: Pegula in three sets · analysis only. She is the better player on paper, but this is her first match since the US Open semi-final and a withdrawal from Beijing with an injury.
Analysis only. Our pick: Paolini in three sets · analysis only. Bartunkova is the favourite, but she needed three sets on Tuesday after the best and longest week of her career in Beijing.
We back Shnaider to win the match: she dropped four games against Katie Boulter on Tuesday, while Putintseva needed 2 hours 51 minutes to get through her first round.
We back Svitolina to win the match: she is 31-10 on hard courts this season, and Samsonova needed three sets to get through her first round on Tuesday.
We back Shnaider to win the match: she is 18-12 on hard courts this season to Boulter’s 14-11 and has won both their meetings, the 2024 Hong Kong final 6:1, 6:2.
Analysis only. Our pick: Kostyuk in three sets · analysis only. She is the stronger player on paper, but this is her first match since a wrist injury.
We back Bartunkova to win the match: a week ago she beat Sabalenka and Muchova on her way to the Beijing semi-finals, while Tagger has lost four of her last five.